Admission to the Program

• Students must apply to the Graduate School and meet the minimum academic requirements of the Graduate School and the Department of Exception Education.
• In addition to the submission of the Graduate School application and transcripts, students must have two letters of recommendation sent to the Exceptional Education Department. (NOTE: If you are a certification student, contact your academic advisor; transcripts and letters which were part of your application can be sent from the department to the Graduate School.)
  
• After The Exceptional Education Department receives the application and recommendations, the student will be notified to schedule an appointment with a Faculty member for an interview. This interview will be conducted for the purposes of:
  
• • Reviewing the student's academic background, two letters of recommendation, and the Master's program and Department policies and procedures
    
  • To determining the student's potential for completing of the program
  • Relevant experiences and basis for seeking admission to the program
    
  • Making admission recommendation to the Department Chairperson
    

If a recommendation for admission is made, a tentative program of study will be developed during this meeting. The Faculty member conducting the interview will become the student's advisor along with the Department advisor.

• The application will also be reviewed by the Department Chairperson and then forwarded to the Graduate School with an appropriate recommendation.
  
• The student will receive official notification form the Graduate School with regard to admission or non-admission and the conditions of their admission.
• If a student is unable to begin the program, he/she must notify the Exceptional Education Department and the Graduate School in writing in order to receive authorization to enroll at a later date. Failure to do so will necessitate reapplication.
• A student whose overall GPA is below 2.75 will need to furnish evidence of ability to succeed in graduate level work (such as completion of recent post-baccalaureate coursework). See the Graduate School for delineation of these standard for Admission on Probation.

Continuation

• Any student's continuation in the Graduate School is at the discretion of the Graduate School, the Department of Exceptional Education and the major professor. Upon completion of 9 or more graduate credits, if a student's grade point average drops below 3.0, continuation is contingent on approval of the Dean of the Graduate School, the Department of Exceptional Education, and the major professor.
• Students who earn a grade below C in any course required for the Master's must wait one year before repeating the course.
• Students who have been admitted on probation or who have been put on probation due to academic performance must meet the academic standard of the University in their graduate coursework. Therefore, in order to be removed from probation, a student must have a grade point average of no less than 3.0 (B) upon completion of the subsequent 6 credits.
• A student whose cumulative graduate grade point average falls below 3.0 at the end of any semester will be placed on probation.
  

Graduation Requirements

• The student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average to be considered eligible to complete the Master's Degree
• The student must complete an approved program of study with a minimum of 30 credits and the following:
• • 18 credits in Exceptional Education, including 3 credits of thesis
  • 6 credits in the School of Education outside the Department of Exceptional Education, including a research course
  • 3 credits of Seminar in Exceptional Education. (Seminar in Administration and Supervision in Exceptional Education (360-960) is NOT applicable)
• Following admission to the Graduate School, a student must complete the program within a 5 year period. The time line starts with the first course counted toward the degree credit requirements.
  
• • The time line may be extended only with the approval of the advisor and the Graduate School.
  • In the event that an extension is granted, the Department and/or the Graduate School may ask that additional coursework be completed.
• The student must apply to the Graduate School by the graduation application deadline for the semester if he/she wishes to graduate.
• No more than 15 credits designated as U/G (courses that can be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit) can be applied toward the Master's Degree.
• Students must be registered for a minimum of 1 graduate credit during the semester in which their degree is awarded.
• The student must complete a thesis seminar during the semester in which he/she is enrolled for thesis credits.

Advising

• The student will be assigned a Faculty advisor at admission. If a change in advisors becomes necessary, the student/advisor must submit a request in writing to the department chairperson. This request would detail the reasons for the requested change.
• The student is expected to confer with his/her advisor each semester in regard to program planning and completion.
• Each student must select a thesis advisor and gain his/her approval at least two semesters prior to planned completion of the Master's program. The student may choose to work with his/her program advisor.

Transfer CreditsUp to 12 credits may be considered for transfer to the Exceptional Education Master's Program.

Appeals ProcedureThe Department of Exceptional Education follows the Appeals Procedure of the Graduate School. Consult the Graduate School Bulletin for details.

Equal Opportunity AssuranceThe Department of Exceptional Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap or veteran status in admission to the Master's Program.

Graduate FacultyProfessors:Edyburn, Dave, Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
McLean, Mary, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Obiakor, Festus, Ph.D., New Mexico State University
Otis-Wilborn, Amy, Ph.D., University of Kansas, Chair

Associate Professors:Ford, Alison, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Frattura, Elise, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Keyes, Maureen, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Owens, Laura, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Rice, Nancy, Ph.D., Syracuse University
Winn, Judith, Ph.D., Michigan State University

Assistant Professor:Drame, Elizabeth, Ph.D., Northwestern University